I just finished watching "Auntie Mame" again.  I'm in the middle of reading "Elantris" for the second time.  I've spent the past several weeks going through an intensive reread/discussion of "Name of the Wind" and "Wise Man's Fear" by Patrick Rothfuss (which can be found here:  http://www.tor.com/features/series/patrick-rothfuss-reread?wbtrak=NGZiM2Y1Y2UtY2VmODljZGU=).  Monday I'll undoubtedly throw on "Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory" the same as I've done on New Year's Eve for many years now.  I reread "My Name is Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok at least once a year and frequently browse through other books revisiting favorite scenes.

There are lots of reasons I revisit works that I've enjoyed in the past.  Some (like Elantris) are because I've come across something that piques my interest (like reading "The Emperor's Soul", which was set in a different part of the same world - see post from December 9).  Others are ones that I love the writing or am in a certain mood that a book/scene/movie can fulfill.  Still others keep surprising me with new insights or ideas that didn't occur to me previously (and when is Book Three by Rothfuss going to be published!!!!!!!!!!).  And, of course, some are reminders of things or times gone past.  I can't help but smile or tear up whenever I watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang because it was the first movie I ever saw in a theater (at least the first one I can remember) and joy and emotional investment have lasted.  The drive to create in Asher Lev is always inspiring.  And the infectious exuberance of Auntie Mame is catching.

So, as the year winds down, go back and remember the best of what has passed and look forward to the best that is to come.  "Life is a Banquet, and most poor ^$#^%$ are Starving to Death!" - Auntie MameThe Release

This might be my favorite shot from 2012.  It shows a bald eagle being released after people at the Raptor Center fixed whatever was wrong with it.  May you all leave your troubles behind and fly into the future.